Menta and Redrow receive council approval for Morello Phase II

Regeneration specialist Menta, along with housebuilder Redrow, were given unanimous approval by Croydon Council’s planning committee, for a major new infrastructure and residential-led regeneration scheme which will deliver a new station entrance to East Croydon Station, and a key piece of infrastructure for the town.

In October 2017, the joint venture developers submitted a planning application to deliver the Morello Quarter Phase II development on Cherry Orchard Road and a new station entrance connecting Addiscombe, through the Morello II development, into East Croydon station and beyond. Following months of discussions with Croydon Council, the applications have now been voted through by councillors.

Morello II will deliver 445 new homes including 107 new affordable homes. The Morello masterplan has already delivered over 330 new homes and includes a landscaped ‘café culture’ public piazza, flexible community and small business space, on a gateway site next to East Croydon train station. The development will also complete the public East Croydon bridge link that will provide a much-desired connection between central Croydon, with all its shops, facilities and transport links, and the Addiscombe community.

The plans approved include:

445 new homes (338 within two 25 storey towers; 107 in a building of 5-9 storeys)

Affordable housing – a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership

Menta Redrow’s funding, construction and installation of a new east/west pedestrian bridge link from Central Croydon, through East Croydon Train Station into Addiscombe – subject to Network Rail consent

New pedestrian entrance into East Croydon Station via a high-quality landscaped public space, new stairs and a temporary link structure connecting to the existing station bridge

Retention of Cherry Orchard / Oval Road public ‘pocket park’ and the majority of mature trees

Creation of new green and play spaces for the new residents

Café culture retail on the ground floor, creating a sense of arrival at the new station entrance

Flexible community and small business space, accessible to Addiscombe residents

Menta has been a long time promoter of the whole East Croydon Masterplan, where there are now over 4 million square feet permissioned development being delivered in separate funding vehicles. HMRC are now occupiers of over 250,000sq ft with more offices planned to come forward to underpin Croydon’s emergence as a major London destination to work and live with the consented Westfield town centre expected to further transform the area. Menta are also working closely with Network Rail on adjoining sites to facilitate a major overstation development and 21st century railway station within the East Croydon masterplan scheduled for 2022.

Craig Marks, Director of Menta, said: “The scheme now approved is the result of two years of discussions and consultation with Croydon Council and local people to deliver the best possible scheme for the area.

“We believe that this development will provide excellent housing for a range of pockets, boost economic prosperity for local businesses, shape a safer and more attractive neighbourhood, create a welcoming new community hub, and deliver much better connectivity across the town. We have received a great deal of support from local businesses and residents and are pleased that this has now been echoed through the planning committee’s decision.”

Ricardo Rossetti, Planning Director for Redrow said: “The feedback we have received locally in relation to Morello Phase I has been fantastic in terms of the look and feel of the scheme as well as the positive contributions the new residents have made within the existing Addiscome community. We feel confident Morello Phase II will do the same and much more, and look forward to starting work on the scheme with Menta.”

It is anticipated that Menta Redrow will begin construction once all planning details have been concluded and the final formal planning permission has been granted.

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